What’s Trending in Event Production: Q&A with PRG’s Lauren Hendricks
December 1, 2023
What’s trending in corporate event production in 2023? Sustainability, engagement with technology and tighter timelines, according to Lauren Hendricks, PRG senior vice president business development, corporate and events, who joined the full-service production company in 2019.
This year, PRG has produced and supported hundreds of events — from the Essence Festival and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance to Post Malone in Times Square and the Florida Realtors Convention & Trade Expo (view pictures and details from these events here).
Back story
Founded in 1983 by Jere Harris, PRG has grown from a single New York location to a global presence — with 38 locations in 29 countries across six continents — encompassing every major technology and serving every market in entertainment and live events.
With deep roots on Broadway and well-known for its concert production, PRG also partners with brands, agencies, associations and trade show clients to create unforgettable moments. PRG delivers technical production expertise with a range of services, including lighting, audio, staging, LED, projection, engineering and project management.
TSNN caught up with Hendricks to get her take on the latest tech innovations in the fast-changing landscape. Plus, we take a deeper dive into how PRG worked with Go West Creative to produce the CVS Health Retail Leadership Experience.
Watch our full interview here, or read highlights from our interview about what’s trending.
Sustainability
“Everyone's trying to figure out how we can wrap our arms around sustainability, particularly in an industry where we do use a lot of power,” Hendricks said.
How is PRG responding? “From a PRG standpoint, we are the audio-visual technical solution at the end of the day,” she said. “We are not the event producer itself, but we are constantly strategizing ways to be more efficient when it comes to power usage, as well as the number of trucks that it takes to transfer the gear for that event. Sometimes we bring in sustainability consultants. That's becoming a new role that you're going to see pop up more and more.”
Engagement
“Everybody needs these events to be even more engaging than ever before,” she said. “There needs to be a reason for people to travel, to show up and attend events. We're always thinking and ideating about how we can utilize all of this amazing gear that we have in our arsenal to help drive that engagement. Projection mapping continues to be a real buzzword.”
On the consumer side, PRG worked in partnership with Giant Spoon on projection mapping onto the Empire State Building in New York for the launch of season four of Stranger Things. “That has been one of the most awarded activations, and it's because it really drove engagement,” she said. Netflix reported more than 9,000 fans congregated in New York to watch the display. View a video here.
Tighter timelines
“We're seeing events are confirming later and later,” Hendricks said. “We used to have about a year out to plan events, and that timeline has condensed tremendously, particularly coming out of the pandemic.”
Is this the new normal? “It seems like that's something that's here to stay,” she said. “A lot of changes are happening right at the last minute, and there's a different level of short-term urgency that we hadn't seen prior.”
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Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.
At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident in several key areas:
Protecting Natural Resources
MGM Resorts is home to industry-leading recycling, renewable electricity and water conservation programs. Some highlights include a cogeneration power plant at ARIA, producing ultra-efficient electricity; one of America’s largest contiguous rooftop solar arrays atop the convention center at Mandalay Bay; and onsite wells that provide water for the celebrated Fountains of Bellagio, avoiding reliance on precious Colorado River water. These efforts and many more save on natural resources while boosting attendee satisfaction.
Committed to Community
Always striving to be good neighbors, MGM Resorts works to avoid food waste and combat food insecurity with the Feeding Forward program. In partnership with local food banks, they safely divert unserved food to food insecure members of the community. Since 2016, over 5 million meals have been provided, highlighting MGM Resorts' commitment to minimizing food waste and addressing community needs.
MGM Resorts supports clients in their responsible-meetings efforts, not only with efficient venues but also waste-reducing décor and signage; sustainable food and beverage options; and outreach to help planners communicate sustainability efforts to attendees. What’s more, they offer a Mindful Meetings series that puts attendee wellness first—through fitness and mindfulness activities, and in give-back events with local charity organizations.
Fostering Diversity & Inclusion
To MGM Resorts, a diverse and talented workforce is essential to success. By cultivating innovative strategies that consider multiple perspectives and viewpoints, the company creates an inclusive workplace culture that benefits its employees and community. MGM Resorts takes pride in being a welcoming home for veterans, individuals with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, LGBTQ+ community members, and more. This commitment to inclusion is reflected in the company's recruitment and hiring practices and its social responsibility initiatives. From the workplace to the community, MGM Resorts' commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion remains unwavering, and its efforts continue to create a more equitable and sustainable world for all.
MGM Resorts offers unparalleled service and venue options while standing out for its proactive approach to sustainability and community engagement. Choosing MGM Resorts for your next meeting means aligning with a company that values social responsibility, efficiency, and attendee satisfaction, ensuring a meaningful and impactful event experience.
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